Barenboim in battle to save Berlin opera house

Daniel Barenboim marked his 60th birthday yesterday by holding a fund-raising charity concert for his Berlin opera house in an attempt to save it from merging with another company.

The Argentine-born Israeli said he would not allow the fusion of his Staatsoper and the Deutsche Oper, a money-saving move meant to save the bankrupt capital millions. "As long as I have anything to say about it, the Staatsoper and its Staatskapelle orchestra are not up for grabs."

He said to close the 260-year-old Staatsoper would be "more honest" than talk of a merger which has the support of many politicians but which Barenboim and his supporters argue would lead to the loss of a unique sound.

Taking a swipe at the city's cultural chiefs, he told the Berliner Morgenpost: "Perhaps someone will come up with the idea to turn it into a hotel, after all it has enough rooms."

Mr Barenboim, who was married to the late cellist Jacqueline du Pré, has threatened to turn his back on Berlin if the merger goes ahead. The fusion of the Staatsoper and the Deutsche Oper would symbolise the last great - albeit controversial - act of unification in the once-divided city.

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The Staatsoper lies in the former communist east Berlin, the more modern Deutsche Oper, led by Christian Thielemann, in the west.

Under the reforms proposed, the two houses would operate under a single management structure, saving the city an estimated £6 million.

Berlin's government, struggling under the weight of £31 billion of debt, is looking to the federal government for help. Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, has said he is even prepared to take the issue to the country's constitutional court. But the prospect of a merger is looking increasingly likely.

"It's certain to happen, and it's the only logical move," said Axel Brüggemann cultural commentator for Welt am Sonntag. "Both Barenboim and Thielemann can stay put, but will be required to switch between the houses and orchestras according to demand".